BIOSYSTEMATIC STUDIES OF GENTIANA L. (S.L.) FROM PAKISTAN AND KASHMIR

Abstract

A study of the genus Gentiana L. (s.l.) from Pakistan and Kashmir. A synthetic approach is adopted by application of palynology, seed morphology, chemistry, phytogeography and numerical analysis
As a result of the present studies, nine genera are recognized from Pakistan and Kashmir: Ciminalis Adans: Gentianodes Love & Love: Qaisera Omer; Aliopsis Omer & Qaiser; Gentianopsis ma; Aloitis Rafin; Comastoma Toyok; Jaeschkea Kurz; Kurramiana Omer and Qaiser. Ciminalis bal tistanica Omer; Aloitis smithii Omer; comastoma pseudopulmonarium Omer: Gentianodes marginata (D.Don) Omer et al. var. scabromarginata Omer have been recognized as new taxa. Following new combinations proposed are; Ciminalis karelinii (Gusn.) Omer; C.harwanensis (G. Singh) Omer; C.capitata (Buch.-Ham.ex D.Don) Omer; Gentianodes clarkei (Kusn.) Omer; Gentianopsis vvedenskyi (Grossh.) Omer; Aloitis anurea (Bunge) Omer. Ciminalis riparia (Kar. & Kir.) Zuyev Comastoma pulmonarium (Turez.)Toyok. Are the two taxa recorded for the first time from Pakistan
The pollen morphological studies revealed the existence of four groups viz., scabrate, striate reticulate and striato-reticulate. Of these striato-reticulate group was the largest group thus accommodating more than 50% taxa. Maximum variation was encountered in the genus Gentianodes love & Love, where three different types of pollen grains are the taxa. The genus Qaisera Omer differs from the related genera (Ciminalis Adans. And Gentianodes Love & Love) on the basis of pollen morphology
Six different groups viz., Ciminalis type; Aliopsis type; Comastoma type; Gentianopsis type; Aloitis type and Jaeschkea type recognized on the basis of surface pattern and seed morphology are proposed after the principle genera
Analysis of the flavanoids of eight genera viz., Ciminalis Adans; Gentianodes Love & Love, Qaisera Omer, Aliopsis Omer & Qaiser; Gentianopsis Ma; Aloitis Rafin.; Comastoma Toyok. And Jaeschkea Kurz indicates three groups on the basis of presence and absence of different flavanoids. Percentage of flavones was higher than flavanols in all the eight genera. Maximum number of compounds are encountered in Gentianodes Love & Love (12 in number), with minimum number of the compounds were present in Jaeschkea Kurz (3 in number). The non-plicate group exhibits both apigenin and luteolin (with the exception of Jaeschkea Kurz) and only apigenin was found absent entirely from plicate group